Cycling: He's back. Or was he never gone? Chris Froome (Sky) reported back impressively on the 14th stage up to Monte Zoncolan. The Briton won the tough mountain stage in front of his compatriot Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott), who was able to defend his pink jersey. The Italian Fabio Aru (UAE Team Emirates) is finally out of the fight for overall victory.
The breakaways had no chance on Monte Zoncolan
Today Britain is celebrating two very special people – namely Chris Froome and Simon yates! Both pros had every reason to be happy after crossing the finish line of the 14th stage. It was 186 kilometers to cover from San Vito al Tagliamento to Monte Zoncolan. Four mountain classifications were already on the program before the final ascent. Up to the last mountain, seven escapees shaped the day's events. Enrico Barbin (Bardiani-CSF), Francesco Gavazzi (Androni Giocattoli), Valerio Conti (UAE Team Emirates), Matteo Montaguti (AG2R La Mondiale), Jacopo Mosca (Wilier Triestina-Selle Italia) and Laurent Didier as well as Mads Pedersen from Team Trek- Segafredo were represented at the front. Thanks to the dedicated speed work of several teams, the lead was kept to a maximum of five minutes and it was clear that the group would have no chance of success. Finally, the 10,1-kilometer Monte Zoncolan has an average gradient of 11,9 percent. Between kilometers two and six, the drivers even have to struggle with an average of 15 percent.
Poels poses problems for Dennis & Aru
At the beginning of Monte Zoncolan, Team Astana immediately took over the pace in the group of favourites. Rohan Dennis (BMC) couldn't follow the pace anymore and so did louis meintjes (dimension data), Fabio Arau (UAE Team Emirates) and Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) seemed to be having trouble. Meanwhile, Igor Anton (Dimension Data), Michael Woods (EF Education) and Hugh Carty (EF Education) launched attacks that collected the last outliers. But the group of favorites did not let them go either. Jack Haig (Mitchelton-Scott) and Wout Poels (Sky) controlled the pace and choked for their captains Simon yates and Chris Froome every possible attack already in the bud. Meter by meter the drivers flew out from behind. Fabio Aru also had to give up for good, while Froome had Poels push the pace again. When there were only eight riders left in the first group, Poels said goodbye and let Froome set the pace.
Froome accelerates.#twist101 #Turn #zoncolan
🏁 4km
(I.e. @chrisfroom
(I.e. @SimonYatess | @pozzovivod | @SupermanlopezN
(I.e. @WoutPoels | @tom_dumoulin | @ThibautPinot | @ Reichenbach_seb pic.twitter.com/klsgT0Sxsr— Brain on Wheels 🚲 (@BrainOnWheels) May 19, 2018
British dominance at Monte Zoncolan
Chris Froome immediately managed to put a few meters between himself and his opponents while sitting. Three kilometers from the finish Simon yates his attack. The Briton went in pursuit of his compatriot, but he couldn't get close to him. Both of them can still celebrate, because while Chris Froome reported back impressively, Simon Yates was able to increase his lead Tom Dumoulin expand. In the overall standings, he is now 84 seconds ahead of last year's Dutch winner. The Swiss also presented himself until Chris Froome started Sebastian Reichenbach (Groupama-FDJ) for its captain Thibaut Pinot in excellent condition. Just like the Austrians Patrick Conrad and Felix Grossschartner by the German team Bora-hansgrohe. Fabio Aru, Louis Meintjes and Rohan Dennis have to revise their ambitions. However, there is no time for rest for the time being. Tomorrow the next mountain stage with five climbs awaits on the 15th stage from Tolmezzo to Sappada.
🇬🇧@chrisfroom of 🇬🇧@TeamSky wins stage 14 of 🇮🇹@giroditalia #tour #twist101 #giroditalia #giroditalia2018 (📺@Eurosport_NL) pic.twitter.com/HVsb7j3hDN
— World Cycling Stats (@wcstats) 19 Maj 2018